I am a new Cockatiel owner

[Nancy B]

I found a gray male cockatiel in the street in North Seattle on April 9. He wasn't easy to capture, but a teenager came along and tossed his shirt over the bird and we finally caught him. I had hoped to find his owner, but so far no luck and I have pretty much given up hope that his owners will be found. So, I have spent about $300 on him--a big cage, toys, ladder, mirrors, food, and finally a visit to the vet ($150) and learned that he has very high cholesterol! I am trying to wean him off seeds, but he won't eat anything but seeds. He doesn't like fresh veggies, fruit, or anything I have given him other than seed--except he ate a little bit of crushed Cherrios.

Now my cat, approximately 12 years old, has deleveloped some kind of a respiratory problem that manifests itself in a loud snore, whether he is asleep or awake. It's worse when he sleeps, but it just seemed to come on in the past 6 days. A visit to the vet with him, and we have no answers yet. He is on some kind of pills for possible allergies, but I don't see any real change.

I wonder if it's possible for a cat to be allergic to a cockatiel. Is there anyone who has experience with this topic? I didn't think to ask the vet--my son says he can smell the cockatiel, even though his cage is clean, but I can't. I had sinus surgery last year and must have lost some of my sense of smell. My son says the bird smells like dirty hair!

Even though this bird is not friendly, despite my patience and care, talking to him, letting him out of the cage now that his wings were clipped a week ago, he is still very afraid and tries to bite me. I'd like to try to tame him and give him a good life, but I can't keep him if he is the reason for my cat's labored breathing. And that would be a relief if he was the problem--because otherwise we may be looking at a tumor in the cat's sinuses or other airway space.

I look forward to hearing from anyone who can help.

Thanks.

Nancy B.

[Spinnergirl]

Glad to have you here on the Birdboard.....welcome :icon_bigg

You have lots going on there, you have come to the right place....I hope your questions can be answered.

I really can't answer them because I would be wondering the same as you..I do want to say thank you for taking the time to get the cockatiel, get it a home and fill it's home with toys .

Because if I had lost my bird I would only hope someone would find her and take her in out of the cold nights and rain for sure. Thank you so much :eusa_clap

Now we'll see if someone can answer those questions............

[Samm]

You can bathe you tiel by spraying him with warm water in a spray bottle....I have one that loves to bathe herself under the faucet, but if yours isn't tame, then that probably wouldn't work.

Try spraying him every day, this might help the smell disappear.